Fly Fishing

Stalk a crystal clear river as it winds through green valleys to spot a brown or rainbow trout with your guide.

If you are a beginner, there’s no better fishing experience. If you’ve been casting a fly for years, then you’ll be thinking about pitting your skills against a big trophy brown. Insect techniques vary depending on the time of the year and weather, from tiny size 18 sinking nymphs through to 1 ½ inch long cicada patterns (or even mice imitations). Terrestrial fishing is normally at its best mid December through early March, and known for the visual show of fish lifting up and gently sucking or aggressively snatching your fly from the surface, testing your hook setting skill – too soon and he missed it, too late and he spat you out! That’s the beauty of sight fishing, and New Zealand is one of the few places in the world where you can fish like this. You’ll also have heard of the famous Oreti, Eglington and Glaisnock rivers, some of New Zealand’s best trout fishing rivers and within an hour’s drive from Salt+Earth. But you don’t have to settle for those, with our local knowledge you can go off the beaten track and fish the wilderness rivers in the west, draining into the remote fiords and accessible only by helicopter. As a backup, if the weather is not in our favour we can slip down the handy-to-home Waiau River in our drift boat and catch a mayfly or caddis hatch. All your gear is supplied if required, wading boots, Sage rods in 5 & 6 weights and quality terminal tackle. Courtesy road transport is included, Helicopter POA dependant on fishing location. Wet wading is the norm in New Zealand.

Your Host

Nathan is a dyed-in-wool South Islander with a penchant for the outdoors and old-fashioned hospitality. There’s no better person to have in your corner when visiting Te Anau – especially if you plan on arranging outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, free diving or snorkling . Nathan is a carpenter by trade. In fact, he even designed and built the very house that his guests stay in.